The second installment of GFC’s private video series includes some more interesting theology from the leaders of Grace Fellowship.
Today, let’s take a look at the clip that appears just before the one I shared previously. This is the buildup to the statement:
“You don’t have the authority to leave.”
Why don’t you have the authority to leave? Because, according to the pastors, you don’t even have the authority to join. And if we really follow the logic of the system, you don’t even have the authority to determine your own salvation.
The entire structure hinges on their discernment.
However, even according to them, their discernment isn’t always perfect. And that reality creates a number of contradictions.
Before examining the details, it may be helpful to watch the relevant portion of the interview in full context.
The clip below is only a few minutes long, but listen carefully to how the pastors explain the process of leaving the church.
The Membership Discernment Process
In the first portion of the clip, the pastors describe a situation where a woman waited two and a half years before being received into membership.
The leadership wants to get it right. Who can blame them for that? They say they are trying to avoid affirming someone as a Christian if that person is actually deceived about their salvation.
Mike Reid seems so concerned that he almost breaks down in tears because this woman was unable to participate in the “means of grace,” including the Lord’s Supper.
There’s a lot of irony here, but I’ll leave that aside for the moment.
Instead, let’s ask a simple question:
Is this actually the biblical pattern?
The Pattern in the Book of Acts
In the early pages of the book of Acts, we see several accounts of people coming to faith and being received into the church.
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
— Acts 2:41
“But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.”
— Acts 4:4
These are not the only examples.
Consider the Ethiopian eunuch:
“See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
— Acts 8:36
Well…nothing.
Unless Philip is concerned that baptizing him might somehow confirm his trip to hell.
The biblical narrative tells us something very simple:
They believed and were baptized.
There is no evidence of a prolonged investigation or a multi-year membership process.
False converts reveal themselves eventually.
Even Simon the Magician initially appeared genuine.
“Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip.”
— Acts 8:13
Later Peter confronts him:
“Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours… For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
— Acts 8:22–23
Notice something important.
Philip is never held accountable for Simon’s deception.
Simon alone is responsible.
This doesn’t mean church leaders have no role in discernment. But when oversight becomes extreme, and leaders begin inserting their own standards into Scripture, something has gone too far.
The Contradiction in the System
In the interview the pastors emphasize that church leaders must carefully discern whether someone is truly a believer before affirming them as a member.
But they also openly admit that their discernment is not perfect.
Yet at the same time they argue that members do not have the authority to leave a church.
When those two ideas are placed together, the system places enormous weight on the discernment of church leadership.
If the leaders are wrong, the member has very few options.
And that leads us to the next part of the video.
The Exit Process
According to Mike Reid, there are only three ways to leave a church.
He lists them as:
- Death
- Mutual agreement (or being sent)
- Excommunication
Then he concludes:
“That’s the three ways that you can leave a church.”
Notice the implication.
Leaving simply because you believe the church is wrong is not included.
Leaving because of concerns about leadership is not included.
Leaving because of conscience is not included.
The only voluntary exit allowed is mutual agreement with leadership.
He softens the claim slightly by saying:
“We think…”
That is an interesting phrase.
Because these same leaders often challenge others by asking:
“What Scripture would lead you to believe that?”
They demand a verse for many theological claims.
So the obvious question here is:
What Scripture leads them to believe these are the only three ways someone can leave a church?
The Result
When most people watch this clip, they will likely conclude that the system being described contains some extreme elements.
But more than that, it contains contradictions.
Leaders acknowledge that their discernment is not perfect.
Yet the structure places extraordinary authority in their discernment.
Membership depends on their judgment.
Participation in the Lord’s Supper depends on their judgment.
And even leaving the church depends on their judgment.
That is the system being described.
Historically, Baptists argued that the conscience ultimately belongs to Christ alone.
Early Baptist leader Roger Williams wrote in 1644:
“God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted and enforced.”
He even warned that:
“Forced worship stinks in God’s nostrils.”
— Roger Williams,
The Bloody Tenent of Persecution for Cause of Conscience
(London, 1644)
— Kevin
Two quick side notes:
GFC is exporting their brand. They have opened a new church in West Liberty, IA. Much of the same doctrine and teachings will occur here: https://www.kingschurchwestliberty.com/
Why do I bother with this? I’m often asked this question. My simple answer is: when do we stop caring about people being hurt? Bullies have a tendency to keep on bullying. So, I keep doing my best to call them out on it. I will stop after they stop.
Uncommon Faith 